but excessive heat warnings are up across the midwest as the twin cities soared to a record high this afternoon of 98. it's going to be another blistering day in chicago. their 20th 90-degree day this season already two more than an average summer. for the 4th the hottest weather outside of the deserts will be in the middle of the country, not record setting, but all above average temperatures in some cases 10 degrees above average. on the 4th there will be thunderstorms in the northeast from boston to d.c. to atlanta. in washington's case, natalie, maybe the only way to stay cool on the 4th without power without air conditioning is to head outside and stand in the rain. >> all right. mike seidel, you at least try to stay cool there in washington, d.c. thank you. >>> further west, the job of fighting fires has taken a deadly turn as a c-130 air tanker from the north carolina air national guard crashed in south dakota sunday with a crew of six. this latest tragedy adding to the toll as wildfires continued to burn in ten states. nbc's miguel almaguer went into the fire zone today of the